Isinglass River trout restocking draws crowd in Rochester

ROCHESTER — Nature lovers of all ages took pride in helping restock the Isinglass River Saturday morning.

About 50 people released 300 rainbow trout as part of the fifth annual program organized by members of the Three Rivers Stocking Association and Waste Management, which owns the Turnkey Recycling & Environmental Enterprises, located along Rochester Neck Road.

The fish, which were raised at Sumner Brook Fish Farm in Ossipee, were released just downstream from a waterfall at a shallow site in the Gonic Trails, which allowed participants to enjoy a half-mile hike through gently falling leaves and warm sunshine.

Dick Prunier, who’s been raising fish for four decades, said the effort is a great tradition to pass on, especially since his son, Jessie and daughter-in-law, Jessica, plan to take over for him when he retires.

Jessie Prunier said he believes the pleasant weather encouraged more people to participate in the event this year. He added there were plenty of buckets and fish – which were between 10 and 16 inches long – for everyone.

Shannon Plante said she enjoyed watching her nephew Logan Hickman, 4, of Rochester, help restock the river.

“It looked like a good fall activity,” Plante said as Logan splashed around in the water, which he thought was the best part.

Keith Campbell of Rochester said this was a great way to reinforce good habits and to love nature with his three kids — Kacia, 10, and Kasper, 7, Campbell and Kyrin Johnson, 3.

“We just started camping this year,” Campbell said. “We’ll do more fishing next year.”

First-time participant John Pazdan, of Dover, said these 300 new fish are “a godsend” for anyone who fly fishes, especially in the Isinglass River, which joins the Cocheco River in southern Rochester.

Ty Corneau, facility operations manager of Waste Management of New Hampshire said this is a great event for families, including his own children – Wyatt, 13, and Abby, 11, of Brookfield.

Wyatt and Abby, who have both been helping out for five years, said it is a great opportunity to enjoy the scenery, encourage more people to fish and do their part.

“There’s never a bad day for this,” Abby Corneau said, adding the hardest part is getting the buckets full of fish down a leaf-covered pathway.

Nonetheless, she said it’s all worth it when the fish are free to swim about the river.

This event is part of an annual effort by Three Rivers volunteers to restock the Isinglass, the Cocheco and the Lamprey rivers.